Process modelling and technology evaluation in brewing

To reach an integrated sustainable production site, it is important to analyse effects of technology changes. A brewery model has been developed which allows process modelling of a brewing facility. Besides the comparison of specific demand figures, it allows a holistic view of the production site and most importantly the modelling of energy demand profiles. Energy demand profiles in brewing vary significantly based on the chosen technology set. Furthermore they are notably influenced by production planning, heat exchanger surfaces and heat supply management. A reduction in energy intensity in the brewhouse processes will lead to the possibility to design heat supply equipment at lower capacity. The mashing process is an important candidate in considerations for heat recovery and low temperature heat supply. New temperature profiles in mashing can improve processing time, quality of the produced wort as well as enable the integration of low temperature heat in a better way. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.